United States President Donald Trump attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 8.
However, from the beginning, their attendance remained controversial due to increased security risks and the cancellation of public after parties.
But the latest incident totally stole the show.
The 79-year-old was caught on camera sleeping at one of the most exciting games at Madison Square Garden. The video quickly went viral with thousands of posts and shares.
In the video, it is clear that Trump closed his eyes for an extended period while sitting next to Knicks owner James Dolan.
This shows a pattern of apparent drowsiness during public appearances, as Trump has also been seen dozing at multiple events before.
Days earlier, Trump was also seen slumped in his chair in the Oval Office, struggling to stay awake. In response to that incident, the White House representative claimed that he was simply “blinking.”
Trump does not seem to sleep through the night, which is not only evident from his repeated incidents of drowsiness but also from his late-night posting behavior. The president is repeatedly seen posting between 9:00 pm and 6:00 pm, suggesting severe sleep deprivation.
Repeated naps for a 79-year-old, especially during high-stimulus events like NBA Finals games, are not considered normal aging.
Medical experts suggest several possibilities, including severe chronic sleep deprivation, an undiagnosed sleep disorder known as sleep apnea, medication side effects, or reduced cardiovascular function that causes microsleeping.
Trump’s medical condition is also unclear, as White House officials have not released detailed results of Trump’s most recent physical exam, which was performed at Walter Reed.
At the NBA Finals, Trump was also greeted with loud boos during the national anthem. He later claimed that the reception was “mostly applause.”
The NBA Finals ended with a 115-111 Spurs victory, although the Knicks still lead the series 2-1.
